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Discussion Forum

Ceiling fans.

FitzsimmonsFrey | Posted in General Discussion on December 1, 2004 01:10am

Can anybody tell me the difference between the $150 Home Depot ceiling fan and the $790 fan at the local lighting center? The styling is close enough not to matter.

The sales guy told me that the expensive one was, you know, higher quality. Like better made, you know. Like a more expensive car — higher quality. “Does it have bronze bearings instead of Delrin?” I asked. “Good quality — better machine”, he said. Sigh.

Has anybody had experience with cheap versus more expensive fans? Is it worth 6x the price? The fan is for a bedroom and will probably be on about 25 days of the year.

Rod

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Replies

  1. joeh | Dec 01, 2004 01:27am | #1

    Rod, those cheap ones move air just like the Casablancas.

    If you get a bad one take it back. It will be bad new usually.

    I've installed plenty of them, the Hampton Bay line is a decent fan.

    Joe H

     

  2. DavidxDoud | Dec 01, 2004 01:46am | #2

    two main considerations,  and a third lesser...

    noise:  does it hum during operation?

    balance:  does it sway during operation?

    longevity:  how long will it operate before replacement?

    hum is unforgivable,  balance is adjustable (but you shouldn't have to...),  long life is desirable (if it runs silently and smoothly),  but less a factor for occasional use like you anticipate...

    I've got 3 older Hunters - the classic 50 lb cast frame units - I like them on the above accounts (tho I did have one burn out on me once)  we use ours a lot - they may run for days at a time - other,  less expensive models (tho the Hunters were not particularly expensive) may be just as servicable - but it's hard to tell till you hear them in a silent room...

    "there's enough for everyone"
    1. FastEddie1 | Dec 01, 2004 01:50am | #3

      We put inexpensive fans in the bedrooms 10 yrs ago.  Now one won't start on low speed, and one hums.  Ours run alot ... sometimes for weeks at a time.

       

      Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

      Edited 11/30/2004 5:50 pm ET by Ed Hilton

      1. rasconc | Dec 01, 2004 03:01am | #7

        Almost all I have ever seen should start on high then be turned down to desired speed.  Sort of like taking off in high gear in a way.

    2. FitzsimmonsFrey | Dec 01, 2004 01:56am | #4

      Thanks for the info, it makes sense. This being a small bedroom, I guess I will spring for a more expensive model -- a couple of hundred bucks might seem a lot now, but it probably won't at 2:00 am listening to a humming motor.I looked around this afternoon and found the $790 model at another showroom for 50% off, so I suspect it'll end up being 2x the price of the HD model, not 6x.Rod

      1. User avater
        intrepidcat | Dec 02, 2004 09:18pm | #28

        The HD's in Texas have Hunter's.

        Yours doesn't?

         

         "I will never surrender or retreat. " Col. Wm. B. Travis, The Alamo, Feb. 1835

  3. DanH | Dec 01, 2004 01:58am | #5

    It's vaguely possible that the expensive ones are easier to assemble. The HD ones come in a thousand pieces, if you get one with lights or some such, and assembly can be a bear.

    1. rasconc | Dec 01, 2004 03:15am | #8

      HD sells several versions that are super easy to install.  The light fixture is pre-installed, the blade hangers are pre-installed, the blades clip on to pins with keyhole type slots in the blades.  The globes are held on with spring clips that you squeeze together and insert the globe.  It cannot get any easier.

      With a remote control they are usually under $200.  With a lifetime warranty to boot.  I have always been a Hunter user but like these even better.  I have experienced no hum, usually no balancing required I have probably installed at least fifteen or so for customers.  Most of the hum I have encountered is when using some cheap variable speed control, usually the infinite speed variety.

      Paying lighting house prices seems to be a big waste of money.  Hunter has been guilty of getting in bed with Wal-Mart too much lately.  The last one I purchased was at Sam's and it was a pain to install and I would have to remove the light kit to tighten the blade hanger screws.  I have four very cheap Hunters that I got at Wal-Mart for about $29ea, four  48" four blade with light kit. Probably worth twice paid.  They are fine for small rooms but not what you want in the living room.

  4. fingers | Dec 01, 2004 02:09am | #6

    That's a great question that I have wondered about.  We have five fans in our house that range in price from a super cheapie that mywife picked up somewhere for about $40 made in China to a $300 made in USA one.

    From my limited experience with the five we've got, I can see no price vs performance difference.  In fact the $40 one runs absolutely silently and you can hear a slight motor hum from the $300 one.  They're all six years old.  Don't know about the longevity.  Draw your own conclusions.

    Good luck!

  5. DavidxDoud | Dec 01, 2004 03:20am | #9

    I never plan anything out more than two years anymore.

    well,  here is the crux - - I'm sitting under a Hunter I bought for ~$200 27 years ago...oil in the reservoir at the annual cleaning (well,  almost every year...) - don't know why it wouldn't go another 27 - thousands of hours...

    "there's enough for everyone"
    1. brownbagg | Dec 01, 2004 03:42am | #10

      I live in the very humid south. I have five home depot "hunters" about $75 a piece. They are about seven years old. They run 7/24 all year round. still quiet, still no problem.

  6. florida | Dec 01, 2004 05:14am | #11

    If my math is right the difference is $640.00. :-} I can't imagine that the expensive one could possibly be that much beter than the cheaper one. We have a Hunter cast iron over our bed,probably 40 years old, runs 24/7, quiet and reliable. Costs about $250.00. We have probably 10 others that range from the old 3 bladed metal ones from Taiwan, older Emersons and lots of HD cheapos. They all run all the time. I have to replace one of them about every 4 or 5 years. I have installed hundreds of them in every price range but don't see how you could do any better than the Hunters.

  7. rasconc | Dec 01, 2004 07:32am | #12

    Hopefully you are getting an 80 Gig drive for that much.  Could not resist, my smart azz button was too close.  The Hunter "Original" ones that are cast iron are pretty much bullet proof.  My comments are aimed at some of their lower offerings (market driven). 

  8. User avater
    G80104 | Dec 01, 2004 08:41am | #13

    Minka Aire. Middle of the road, but good taste comes with a price!

    1. highfigh | Dec 01, 2004 07:19pm | #14

      I have a duplex and when it came time to replace the ceiling fans, I found a Hampton Bay at HD for $14. 15 year warranty. Easy to put up and the only time it hums is when the screws that hold the glass in place loosen. These even have a vibration dampener for the screws that keeps them from backing out. AKA a rubber band, that my much more expensive Hunter didn't come with. For $14, it's almost not worth keeping the receipt since it'll take more time to find it than it's worth.
      "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

  9. User avater
    Joe | Dec 01, 2004 09:45pm | #15

    I have an apartment building.  I've put the HD fans with lights and remote in every units bed room and kitchen as well as my unit.  Never had a problem.  Mine runs 24/7 all year.  Only maintenance is to clean them between tenants.

  10. JohnT8 | Dec 01, 2004 09:58pm | #16

    Hunter is my preferred brand right now.  I've never had a problem with one and they're fairly easy to install... and are cheaper than $700.

    My impression has always been that you're paying for STYLE on the $700 fans.  If I can find the same thing in a Hunter, I'll get the Hunter (for probably $200 or less).

     

    jt8



    Edited 12/1/2004 2:05 pm ET by JohnT8

    1. User avater
      CapnMac | Dec 02, 2004 12:50am | #19

      that you're paying for STYLE

      Yeah, like wicker work on the fan blades.  There's a logic leap for you--let's perforate the blades so that they can push less air around . . .

      It would be one thing if you could buy performance; but all that seems for sale in a ceiling fan is looks.  The blades are just planks at an angle.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

      1. JohnT8 | Dec 02, 2004 01:05am | #20

        Yeah, like wicker work on the fan blades.  There's a logic leap for you--let's perforate the blades so that they can push less air around . . .

        And then charge you 3X as much for blades that push less air.

         jt8

        1. Aberwacky | Dec 02, 2004 01:28am | #21

          And then charge you 3X as much for blades that push less air.

          And catch 6x the dust. 

          Leigh

          1. User avater
            CapnMac | Dec 02, 2004 02:00am | #22

            And catch 6x the dust.

            And are patently un-dust-able . . .

            Not that tossing dust mites around the room ought to worry the hypochondriacs or anything . . . <g>

            I looked up the other day having cleaned the floor stand fan and noticed the fan blade spins opposite its construction (points on blades lead, not trail).  Even a decent design is under-efficient . . . sheesh.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

          2. JohnT8 | Dec 02, 2004 05:30pm | #26

            And then charge you 3X as much for blades that push less air.

            And catch 6x the dust. 

            And the lemmings line up to buy it.

            Guess I'm more into function than style.  ;)

             

             jt8

  11. BSayer | Dec 02, 2004 12:23am | #17

    I located an expensive one at the lighting place and even then I only got to see a picture in a catalog. Since it was the only one we found that we liked, and since I wanted six of them, I shopped around. On the web.

    http://www.ceilingfans4u.com/mc_arch.htm

    is the one we got. Lighting places must have a huge markup, because we got these at nearly 0ne-half the price the local lighting place would have charged us. And this is the exact fan, not a similar one. And I won't mention any sales tax issues...

  12. User avater
    CapnMac | Dec 02, 2004 12:35am | #18

    monthly for two years

    Even better, get a donation of another $200 for a web cam, and just have a site for the comparison.  Sell ad space on the site to all the big boxes.  I may know where you can get some tech assistance for this--but it'll cost ya <g> . . .

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
  13. EdJW | Dec 02, 2004 03:55am | #23

    Rod, I got 2 Hunter mission style fans at HD, my inlaws saw the same fan at a mom and pop fan store that was closing them out. Sales person said that they couldn't compete with HD in price but their Hunter fans were a much better quality (better motor, bearings and finish).  The lighting store was charging $25 more, and the inlaws bought it because of what the salesperson said.  My wife went over and saw the fan and it was the exact same style but the lighting store fan was much nicer, you could tell just by looking at the finish of all the metal.  I guess in the case of Hunter HD does have fans made just for them which goes back to the thread about the Moen faucets being the same as the ones sold at plumbers supply.   My 2 fans went back to HD and I spent the extra $25 at the mom and pop fan store.  I did see a Casablanca mission style fan that I liked better but couldn't justify the $700. -Ed

  14. savvy | Dec 02, 2004 08:06am | #24

    I just went through the ceiling fan shopping thing. the research I did indicated that Hunter fans were the best (as far as noise, balance). The hunter fans with their best motor (the V-tech something or other) are supposed to be the best of best starting at about $90 at big box stores

  15. FitzsimmonsFrey | Dec 02, 2004 08:28am | #25

    Thanks to everyone for the excellent information. My conclusion is that you probably get what you pay for up to about $200; after that it's all styling and the shop owner's Mercedes. Certainly the $790 fan was way overpriced (even though that's $CDN.)

    Rod

  16. User avater
    CapnMac | Dec 02, 2004 07:17pm | #27

    a kickback

    A "kickback"?  Why never at all, "kickback" implies some sort of shady dealing or impropriety.

    It would be a professional consulting fee, of course.

    And a percentage of advertising profits <tehe>

    And reasonable expenses.

    And so on . . .

    (Amazing how the difference between whoring & counsulting is often just the one between "doer" and "doee"--that, and you have to hire a process server to bust a consultant.)

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
  17. User avater
    CapnMac | Dec 03, 2004 10:21pm | #29

    A quid pro quo?

    A response in kind?

    An acknowledgement?

    LoL!

    Be a lot of KC bbq for me to traverse the toll road, let alone the long haul spanning OK on 35 <g>

    We still don't even have the donated fans yet, either.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. DanH | Dec 03, 2004 11:06pm | #30

      An expediting fee.

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | Dec 04, 2004 12:35am | #31

        An expediting fee.

        Yeah, right.  For you, Kansas is south, and possibly warmer.  For me, it's all day drive across the vast prairie.  Better be cash money in it for me to head into "and yer little dog Toto, too" country . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

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